China has ordered its central government officials not to use Apple's iPhone and phones from other foreign brands at work, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The government staff were given these instructions by their superiors in recent weeks, the sources told the Journal.
It is unclear how many central government agencies have been impacted at this time, although Beijing has restricted iPhone usage among certain officials for years, according to the media outlet.
The ban comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, which are mired in a tech war. China is also striving for self-sufficiency in the sector.
It could have a significant impact on Apple, as China is one of the company's largest markets — accounting for nearly one-fifth of its overall revenue in 2022.
China's ban on foreign phone brands in government agencies mirrors similar restrictions in the US, such as a New York City ban on TikTok on government-owned devices.
The Chinese embassy in Washington DC declined comment to Insider.
